‘Miller showed his skill with a knife as he cut the lobster tails for one of Jenkins’ main dishes, while Kaleta loaded up a steamer for Andrzejewski’s shu mai, an open-faced dumpling stuffed with pork and seafood.’

‘"It was just a feeling I had," Grier said this week from Boston. "I saw things that were coming unfortunately. It wasn’t so much the Sabres. There was a lot of that around the league. It was trying to figure out the best way to keep those core players together as they entered those free agent years."’

‘With the Sabres possessing a surfeit of forwards, Cowan, 32, could be ticketed for Portland. He spent all last season in AHL Peoria, compiling five goals, 15 points and 94 penalty minutes in 71 games.’

‘"It’s unfortunate, but I’ve enjoyed my time here. I’ve loved my time here. I’ve been through good times and bad, with successful teams and not-so-much. I’ve made some lifelong friends and played with some unbelievable guys. If that’s what I come out of hockey with is great friendships and 200 games in the NHL — more than I ever thought I’d play — I did it with a great organization."’